Six members of the faculty of Laval University won an award during the 80e Acfas gala, which was held yesterday at the Grand Quai pavilion of the Port of Montreal. Since 1944, this annual event has rewarded the exceptional contribution of researchers in all fields of knowledge. Laval University stood out by winning half of the 12 prizes awarded to scientists who have reached maturity in their careers.
The winners are:
Philippe Archambault, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Michel-Jurdant Prize for environmental sciences
Professor in the Department of Biology and scientific director of the ArcticNet network, Philippe Archambault is particularly interested in seabed invertebrates, which represent more than 90% of ocean organisms. His findings on the relationships between the diversity of underwater life and climate change have major impacts on the protection of marine ecosystems. His work notably served as the basis for the establishment of marine protected areas in Canada, as well as for high-level decision-making within the United Nations on environmental management.
Marcel Babin, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Adrien-Pouliot Prize for scientific cooperation with France
For more than 20 years, Marcel Babin has actively contributed to oceanographic cooperation between Quebec and France. Driven by his passion for the Arctic marine environments, he has built transatlantic research sites that have become models of collaboration. These places are at sea, aboard the icebreaker Amundsen, or on land, at the Takuvik International Research Laboratory, housed at Laval University. Set up by the researcher in 2011, this laboratory is today an important training establishment for dozens of students from Quebec and France.
Caroline Duchaine, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Jacques-Rousseau Prize for multidisciplinarity
The science of bioaerosols, that is to say the study of biological particles suspended in the air, has been elevated to a higher level thanks to the multidisciplinary approach advocated by Caroline Duchaine, professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and bioinformatics. By knowing how to skillfully combine disciplines as diverse as microbiology, physics, medicine, atmospheric science, engineering and industrial hygiene, Caroline Duchaine has succeeded in revealing the risks of transmission of viruses and bacteria by air, on the farm and in the hospital. His expertise and contribution were particularly useful and noted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clément Gosselin, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Urgel-Archambault Prize for physical sciences, mathematics, computer science and engineering
Clément Gosselin is one of the great architects of modern robotics. He is notably at the origin of the concept of parallel robots with so-called “spider” architecture. He is also responsible for implanting true “intelligence” into the mechanics of robotic hands, giving them the ability to pick up the most delicate objects. The originality of this researcher and the eloquence of his demonstrations inspire the creation of businesses and spark research initiatives all over the planet. Having his mother tongue at heart, Clément Gosselin wrote works in French which have become important sources of reference in robotics.
Francine Saillant, Faculty of Social Sciences
Thérèse-Gouin-Décarie Prize for Social Sciences
Francine Saillant is an anthropologist of health and human rights who has placed at the heart of her work the importance of taking into account the socio-cultural context when it comes to care. She introduced, for example, participatory methods using testimonies and art. A great traveler, Professor Saillant has taught in local communities in around ten countries, carrying out field work with rigor and respect. Creativity in her approaches is the quality par excellence attributed to her by colleagues, students and several social organizations seeking advice from her.
Réal Vallée, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Inter-order collaboration prize – college and university
The long-standing collaboration between Réal Vallée, professor in the Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Optics, and his colleague and co-winner Michel Olivier, professor of physics at Cégep Garneau, highlights a perfectly balanced complementarity. The meeting between these two researchers in optics-photonics led to a scientific feat hailed by their peers: the production of the first optical fiber laser emitting ultrashort pulses in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Their work has paved the way for significant technological impacts in industry, medicine and the arts.
